50TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIES
By late 1969, a group of anywhere from 20 to 60 people was meeting to plan how to better advance anti-Vietnam war activities. A consensus built that broader issues needed to be addressed such as the environment, education, housing, food issues, draft counseling, and civil rights. It was decided that a community house was needed to make it possible for people to live simpler, financially support each other, and provide a place to promote the changes needed. Money was raised and a home was purchased. I was one of 5 adults and an infant who moved into the Chester Creek House. One of the first actions taken was the establishment of the food buying club in the basement where bulk goods could be purchased. Everyone was a volunteer, from bringing goods from warehouses in the Twin Cities to stacking shelves to helping new people use the “co-op”.
Helga Ragan, who lives in Esko now, shared many stories with me. Helga told me about the Co-op starting in the basement cellar of the Chester Creek House and how there was a scale, paper bags and products like rice/flour in bulk. It was on the honor system and there was a container that you would put your money into.
More people moved into the house, and the food co-op became one of the best organizing and communitybuilding activities. It got too big, and was moved to an abandoned corner grocery on 7th street, then 14th and 4th, then the current locations. People working together for each other made it happen and still do. Matt Doyle
A very very long time ago on the corner of 7th Avenue East and 8th Street there was a butcher shop. The proprietor was Mr. Krogh, a Danish American, who was everyone’s idea of the classic old world butcher: a large white apron, very rotund, a friendly nature, rosy cheeks, and never in a hurry. People would travel long distances, especially around the holidays, to purchase his old world specialties, most particularly the pressed veal. After his retirement, the store became the Co-op. It had grown to about 300 members and still felt very much like a neighborhood store. One neighbor who frequented was a thin, wiry and very energetic man of his eighties. None other than Mr. Krogh! His explanation to his amazed former customers, if you want to live long, you have to eat healthy! Arden Johnson
10
Long before becoming a member, I volunteered at the Co-op on 8th street. It was so tiny. It was really just a step up from the buying club I was also in back in those days. Some of us formed an organization called Trash Busters that helped the state of MN ultimately move to statewide recycling. The Co-op helped push the idea with its emphasis on buying in bulk (also why buying clubs were popular) and reducing waste from excess packaging. Judy Gibbs Co-op Owner Number 103
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